Firms urged to prepare for Microsoft changes

Tech experts DJH Tech Partners is urging businesses to prepare for a major change to Microsoft security settings due to be introduced from September.

The firm, which is the technology division of accountancy firm DJH, is advising businesses to review their Microsoft 365 security settings now, ahead of Microsoft’s phased retirement of SMS and voice-based authentication.

Microsoft has confirmed it will begin retiring its native SMS and voice-based authentication methods as part of a wider move towards stronger, phishing-resistant security.

From September, users will increasingly be prompted to register passkeys, with SMS and voice authentication fully retired on 1 February.

DJH Tech Partners is encouraging organisations to begin preparing now, rather than waiting for the retirement date to approach.

Managing director Jon Woliter said: “Organisations that prepare early will be able to strengthen their security while avoiding disruption as the transition approaches.

“This isn’t just about replacing one authentication method with another, it’s part of a much bigger shift towards passwordless, phishing-resistant security, and we’re helping our clients plan for that change now.”